WBON Member Benefits

NEW! HEALTH INSURANCE: We are continually evaluating benefits that we offer, from professional development conferences to valuable networking opportunities. Over the past several months, the WBON Board has been working to obtain group health insurance plans to offer to the membership. We are excited to officially announce that the group health insurance offering - which will be carried by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Vermont - will become effective August 1, 2010. There will be over a dozen health insurance plans from which to choose so that you can pick the one that's right for you. Please email the WBON executive director, Kate Paine for more information or visit BCBS online to read more: http://www.bcbsvt.com/employer/Plans_and_Products/small_group_health_plans/index.html

We look forward to continuing our strong support of women business owners. Our members have helped grow WBON to become the exciting and vibrant organization that it is today. Thank you for belonging to WBON and for your participation.

Networking:
MONTHLY CHAPTER MEETINGS
Chapter meetings are held each month in 8 regional locations: Burlington, Williston, Manchester, Central Vermont (Montpelier/Barre), Middlebury, Stowe, St. Johnsbury and Lebanon, NH. A WBON member holds the position of Chapter Coordinator (or co-Coordinator), and plans the speakers or discussion topic for the month. Members can go to any chapter meeting (or all of them!). Each month a list of upcoming meeting dates and topics is sent out. The schedule is also posted on the web site. Guests are welcome to attend up to 3 chapter meetings before joining.

SPRING SEMINAR
Our spring conference is a day-long professional development event that focuses on a topic of interest to business owners. The event also includes a member expo.

SUMMER NETWORKING BUSINESS CARD SWAP
These summer events are facilitate networking in a casual and social environment. Typically held several times over the summer months, these events are hosted by area restaurants. Bring your business cards and have good time. Guests are welcome.

FALL CONFERENCE
The two-day fall conference is the headline statewide event each year. It features well-know keynote speaker as well as working sessions and time for networking. The event also includes a member expo (see details below).

WINTER MINI-TRADESHOW
This event is to kick off the holiday season with a business building tradeshow giving members an opportunity to showcase their business to the public.

WINTER RETREAT

This one day event is held in southern Vermont. The purpose is to re-energize, plan and set professional and personal goals for the coming year. The event also includes a member expo. Members receive a discounted rate to attend and special hotel rate.

Marketing:
LISTING ON THE WBON WEB SITE
All members have their name and web link posted on the WBON web site in our searchable online directory. Members are provided a user name and password to update their profile anytime and have the ability to upload a photo or logo, or only show select contact information.

MEMBER EXPO AT CONFERENCES
At the spring seminar and fall conference, there is an opportunity to display your business materials as part of the member expo. Bring brochures, portfolios, samples, whatever will help conference attendees know about your business.

CO-OP MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES
WBON offers members the chance to get in on marketing opportunities that may be too expensive for individual businesses to pursue. For example at booth at the VT Business & Industry Expo runs $600 - $1,400, but WBON purchased a table and offered members the opportunity to share the cost. If there are other opportunities that you think members would be interested in pooling their buying power, let us know.

EMAIL to WBON Members

Send notices about events or offers to be included as a link from the monthly eCalendar to the WBON blog. The eCalendar is sent to 1,500+ women in VT, NH and NY state. Material for this e-mail must be submitted by the 25^th  of the month to info@wbon.org and will be linked at the discretion of the Executive Director (WBON reserves the right to select most appropriate material and edit length if necessary).

USE OF THE WBON MAILING LIST
Members may purchase the WBON mailing list (approx. 300 names) for one-time use of $100 or a partial list for $50. The mailing list will be sent as ready-to-use labels. Lists will not include email addresses or telephone numbers.

BLOG CONTRIBUTIONS
The WBON blog allows members to share announcements, news, and business articles or tips. Submissions are always welcome. Send to info@wbon.org and when possible include a photo. Our blog feeds the WBON member facebook page as well as WBON fan page.

SOCIAL NETWORKING

As a member, you can join WBON on Facebook and Linked In. Submit articles for the WBON blog which feeds our Facebook and Fan pages. Members with Blogs can have links posted to the WBON website. Email info@wbon.org with your blog link.